Papa closing in on Scully

Ventured in to the city for a dry run performance of the “Chronicle Live” show on the network Comcast Sports Bay Area, with the added bonus of being there for the network’s introductory party in the evening.

As the title suggests, San Francisco Chronicle reporters and columnists will be featured, but those from other media outlets will also be guests.

My topic?

To explain how I could possibly label the Raiders a contender in the AFC West, as I did in an April 1 blog.

(Funny, considering the state of the division and that there are only four teams in it, I didn’t consider it that big a deal).

Anyway, since the show’s host is Raiders radio announcer Greg Papa, at least I had a sympathetic ear. You watch this team every week for several years, you go into every season hoping they’ll be relevant.

Upon arriving at the studio in San Francisco, Papa was having his makeup applied.

“Don’t laugh, Jerry, you’re next,” he said.

A few moments later, I had makeup brushed on my face for the first time in half-century of life. (It got re-applied later _ apparently I have a shiny forehead).

Before the taping began, a news director asked me if I could weave in the fact that Papa had been named winner of the California Sportscaster of the Year. I told him I could handle it.

Papa asked me about the Raiders being a contender on the air, and I talked about the the Raiders closing out the 1999 season with a 41-38 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, which included the memorable call of the newly-named California Sportscaster of the Year saying, “Wheatley won’t go down!.”

While I didn’t think the Raiders were on the verge of a 12-4 season, as that team was, I said I thought considering the state of the division, they were legitimate contenders. The last obstacle was the Chargers (they’ve shown the last two years they can beat both the Chiefs and Broncos) and that was a wall they could climb in Week 1.

I also said I thought the Raiders were better off in the short run but not necessarily in the long run for the Broncos having dealt Jay Cutler to the Bears for a pair of first-round draft picks.

As stated before, I think Cutler’s got wonderful passing skills, but is lacking in leadership and tends to make the worst of a bad situation _ not the skills I would want in a franchise quarterback. Still, the Broncos would be worse off in 2009 after such a messy divorce.

Anyway, I wasn’t included in a later panel of which Bay Area team (excluding the Sharks) would be the first to have a winning season among the Raiders, 49ers, Giants, A’s and Warriors. None of the panelists (Glenn Dickey, Gwen Knapp, Jorge Ortiz, Chris Townsend) thought it would be the Raiders.

When you’re in the worst six-year run in franchise history, media optimists are understandably in short supply.

The Comcast party afterward had big-name attendees from the front offices of every team but the Raiders. That’s not surprising, considering the network’s Web site advertises itself as a network for the Giants, A’s, Warriors, Sharks, Kings, Quakes, Monarchs and also has an entry for “college teams” with the Raiders nowhere to be found.

That’s right. The soccer earthquakes and WNBA Monarchs are involved. Not the Raiders.

(The Raiders have their own syndicated shows, with Papa serving as a host, and will get somewhat of an organizational point-of-view by having Papa affiliated with the station).

Talked to Papa at the network’s opening party afterward and told him I’d been set up to sneak in word of his award. He told me Vin Scully had won 28 times, so he needed only 27 more to catch him. Wish I’d had that line before the cameras were rolling.

On the other hand, it doesn’t matter much, since it was a practice show which won’t be aired as the network worked out the kinks for its opening. They’ve been running test shows for awhile now.

I’m tentatively scheduled to be a guest later in the month to talk about the draft. Unless, of course, I don’t make the cut. If not, I’ll figure it’s that my forehead is too shiny.

Believe what you want LMN. I’ve never heard such a bunch of ignorant BS before, but hey, when you live in a nation as irrelevant as yours I guess you have plenty of time to make schit up.

Do you really believe that about England and France…oh well, I guess the looming presence of the USSR over Europe had nothing to do with it, lol.

Back to football.

vegas raider

One of the Broncos picks will be on a RB, either Beanie or Yesshawn. They have ignored the position in the draft, other than Clarett (great job Denver!!!), for years and it really caught up to them last year.

I have this sneaking suspicion that Brace will not make it past KC in round 2. I keep picturing Curry and Brace in KC uniforms next season. I know, I know, they have Dorsey…but they are switching to a 3-4 D and there is no way Dorsey, at barely 300 lbs, is going to play the role of the 3-4 NT. Maybe they will try him at DE?

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

Ohhh cool, there is a receiver called Taurus… NICE! i love those freaky names, as peerless, Ra’Shon and Dawon…

they always make me laugh.. =) how do they make them up!?

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

BSJ…

yup….

vegas raider

If we draft a WR, it has to be one of the top 4, Crabs, Macling, DHB and Nicks. There is a huge drop-off in talent after that. Will Inglesias or this kid from Cal-Poly really help the team? There is always diamonds in the rough, but we have lots of holes, with WR being one of the biggest ones, that need to be addressed with quality picks, not 6th-rounders.

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

Dakota…

man i hope not, because then we wont run pass or through them for years :/

Voldemort

I just hope the Donks don’t somehow wind up with Brady Quinn. I am a big Irish fan, and therefore, have always been a big fan of Brady Quinn’s. I would be sick to my stomach if he became a donk.

I agree. I think the team we are going to have to contend with in the future is KC. They are building up a young talented team and Brace and Curry would be quite a haul for them.

http://www.dontbotherresponding.com Bo Schembechler Jackson

LMN, I might get a chance to visit MAN in Augsburg for work. Been there?

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

BSJ…

sorry, didnt see the ‘or’

the new ones are powered by Wärtsilä.. the old ones MAN..
without being sure, I think they are owned by the same company today…

http://www.dontbotherresponding.com Bo Schembechler Jackson

Va. tackle reportedly to visit Eagles
By Bob Brookover

Inquirer Staff Writer

Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe will make a pre-draft visit with the Eagles on Monday at the NovaCare Complex, a league source said yesterday.

Monroe’s visit is a signal that the Eagles are at least considering an attempt to move into the top 10 picks of the first round. Both general manager Tom Heckert and coach Andy Reid said last week that they believe they have the trade ammunition needed to move to the top of the draft board. The Eagles have 12 picks, including the 21st and 28th overall selections in the first round.

hellsbells

Not sure of Brace, says he get winded to fast, we dont need another turd in our dt rotation, pray for mack, matthews, Nicks to slide to us. Starting to like A. Smith in first round. Gallery lined up next to him would be a force in running game, with Barnes on the right side.

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

nope, but its H U G E! there is a car actory nearby as well, cant remember if its VW, but the entire area is a german detroit thingy…

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

when a piston is 4-5 stories tall, you know you having an engine =) LOL

raiderjhawk

Earl Bennett played with Cutler in College that could help, other than that they are going to have to get him some better WR’s, Hester ain’t going to cut it but he might me better. Watch the bears try to trade for Edwards.

http://www.dontbotherresponding.com Bo Schembechler Jackson

LMN,

no MAN bought SEMT Pielstick not Wartsila.

hellsbells

Think we should sign Holt to give us some flexability in the draft? What about R. Willams and Tank?

exlaraiderseasonticketholder

La Milicia Negra Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:19 am
exLA..

thought you were okay, now im thinking if you used to be brien!?
—————————————————-
Just messing with you. I’m kool with everyone.

RaiderRockstar

One of the Broncos picks will be on a RB, either Beanie or Yesshawn. They have ignored the position in the draft, other than Clarett (great job Denver!!!), for years and it really caught up to them last year.

***

Vegas: they signed Buckhalter, Jordan & Arrington in FA. Plus they still have young guys they’ve drafted in the past like Selvin Young, Andre Hall & Ryan Torain. too many injuries to RB’s last year to know what they truly have. Looks like they’re leaning towards a RB-by-Committee approach though

I doubt they take Wells or Moreno

hellsbells

They have been on the market for awhile, could get a sweet deal. Could always cut before season if we dont give huge signing bounus and draft goes our way. Think Holt is still very good.

RaiderRockstar

I have this sneaking suspicion that Brace will not make it past KC in round 2.

I can’t remember who said it, but one of the talking heads on one of the NFL shows last night said that Ron Turner, the Bears OC, was the HC at Illinois and he turned Cutler down when Cutler wanted to go to Illinois to play QB.

I sense a trade demand coming.

http://atm Raider O

Good morning Nation. What’s up Rockstar.

bank-bank

DRAFT MACLIN!!!!!he’s the next Cliff Branch.Honestly,the receivers that we have right now are looked at around the league as what.Exactly,laughing stock and no respect.Maclin would definitely change that.Plus,Maclin will provide insurance if God forbid,JLH gets hurt.None of the receivers that we have today where as if they were coming out of college draft would be considered a 1st round selection.Don’t let J.Russell go to waste.

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

BSJ..

oh sorry..

I just know that when we ship parts out to the ships they come from the same place, both MAN and Wärtsilä…. what do i know, im not a mechanic =)

better leave that to guys that knows their stuff!

we had a ship “stranded” in australia, and they jsut didnt know what was wrong, it costs ~300K per 24 hour a ship isnt in action, so after a week we send down 3 guys, one from Norway, one from England and a Dane, 28 hours later the ship was out of the harbor…

those guys are priceless..

raiderjhawk

Holt is used to playing on turf, plus I doubt he would come here.

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

hmm knew, i guess :/

vegas raider

Rockstar,

Forgot a little about the FA signee’s, although I don’t think you pass on the best RB in the draft for Lamont or Arrington. Buckhalter is good but always hurt.

I reconsider, a little, but the saying goes if you think you have 3 RB’s you really don’t have any.

RaiderRockstar Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:56 am
I have this sneaking suspicion that Brace will not make it past KC in round 2.

***

KC traded their 2nd round pick to New England.
____________________________________
Rockstar…d’oh, I forgot about that…never mind!

RaiderRockstar

Detroit, St. Louis, Seattle, Cincinnati, Jacksonville could all draft Ron Brace before us in Round 2.

They all need a DT and if they don’t grab BJ Raji in Round 1, Brace would be the next best thing

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

# Dakota Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:57 am

I can’t remember who said it, but one of the talking heads on one of the NFL shows last night said that Ron Turner, the Bears OC, was the HC at Illinois and he turned Cutler down when Cutler wanted to go to Illinois to play QB.

Dakota, or Ron found out he made the wrong choice back then… who was his QB, then? in stead of cutler that is?

raiderjhawk

Any possiblity of dumping Walker with his contract restructered? Anyone know any details?

http://www.actionext.com/playlist_57486.html La Milicia Negra

New thread..

RaiderRockstar

What’s up Rockstar.

***

not much man. glad it’s Friday. glad Cutler is no longer a donk!

how about you?

Trolls 35 Raiders 0

RaiderRockstar Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:55 am
One of the Broncos picks will be on a RB, either Beanie or Yesshawn. They have ignored the position in the draft, other than Clarett (great job Denver!!!), for years and it really caught up to them last year.

***

Vegas: they signed Buckhalter, Jordan & Arrington in FA. Plus they still have young guys they’ve drafted in the past like Selvin Young, Andre Hall & Ryan Torain. too many injuries to RB’s last year to know what they truly have. Looks like they’re leaning towards a RB-by-Committee approach though

I doubt they take Wells or Moreno

If that new coach in Denver doesn’t go DL and LB in the draft he’s dumber than dumb. If they use a high pick on RB those maniacs in Denver will tar and feather him before they run him out of town on a rail.

BAG

A WR doesn’t improve this team at all especially one that is unproven, slow, and short. Knowing that the draft is major gamble why not take the chance on an area of great need. STOPPING THE RUN!! We already have a roster full of WR’s mostly young and in need of development and playing time. It makes no sense to draft yet another WR when you can’t stop the run. This is not passing league football.

The #7 pick and the 2nd rounder should be used on defense. If you want to OOh-and AHH at WR’s catching passes go watch football highlights on youtube. If you want the Raiders to win football games then we need to improve the defense especially the run defense. Hopefully Big AL isn’t fooled into believing that the problem will be solved by simply replacing Ryan with Marshall.

http://atm Raider O

This draft is Diff than last year. This time last year, we had an idea of where the top 5 teams were going with their picks.

http://atm Raider O

Happy as hell that cutler is gone. Now Denver needs O and D help. LMAO

” OH HAPPY DAY”

OAKlifer

Morning nation….D-LINEfor’09

I have a stinkin suspision that the donks and the browns are getting ready to make a block-buster deal that would include Anderson/Quinn with Braylon…to the Donks for One of those 1st rounders possibley a later round pick…. as well as injury prone/doper Marshall along with one of thier many RB’s….Rember that pain in our ass….Eddie Royal He will take Marshalls spot they will move Braylon to slot…and have qb comp in camp with Who ever they get form the Stains and orton…..Hmmm this would suck…in my eyes
And I hope KC dsnt end up with Curry and Brace that would be somewhat of a brick wall over there…

D-Line for ’09

raideredoutL.A.

i luv the “TOUCHDOWN-RAAAAAIDERS” call by Papa every grateful time we score but he’s still decades behind Vin Scully. Although, if he sticks around for awhile and raiders win some championships he could catch up to him.